A student passing by in front of koperasi and peeking into the room. Thinking that he might need something, I asked him this:Me: What are you looking for?Student: I'm looking forward, teacher (sambil jalan menuju ke hadapan membiarkan daku terpinga-pinga)

A student complaining that he is hungryMe: Why don't you go and buy something?Student: My money tertinggal..... (long pause) in the bank, teacher.

A student who is in my debate team came straight to me with a cheeky smileStudent: Is it hot in here or is it just you?

Guano! It will be hard to stay stoic and keep a straight face with these kinds of joke...

I have been slumped with endless job since I've started working and the main reason behind all these extra work has been because "You are unmarried thus you don't have commitment yet". Just so you know, my plans to raid KL this weekend which I have been anticipating since last week has to be cancelled due to notice given yesterday that I have to handle a motivation camp for students. Jumaat nak buat, Isnin baru bitau... Yeah, I'm single so I surely have no plans or a life!

How ridiculous, no? I thought single people have more commitment and thus should be given more time to explore things (if you know what I mean). We only have a few years left before we are also chained down to the commitment they all speak of with fear now. If we don't socialise now, when should we? When we have 3 kids running around our tables every night?

I think this is an unfair treatment! I strongly feel that single people should have extra holidays! I will advocate this to NUTP!

Okay, I will mellow down now. I will just go and do what they ask me to do, including sleeping in tents even though I used to ask my mum to write exemption letters for me whenever I had to attend any seriously increduluous motivation camps while I was in school. You think my mum can still do that for me now?

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

"May I a small house and large garden have,And a few friends, and many Books, both true,Both wise, and Both delightful too."

Abraham Cowley, 1618-1667 (English Poet)

Hold up, this man is supposed to be dead now? Gosh, I lost my soul mate already!

Coincidentally, we share the same dreamslah, Mr Cowley. Cowley was an intellect, royal spy and renowned doctor of his time. I am probably partially all that plus a bit more (apa gelak-gelak? true what??! oklah, i pun join gelak juga.. hahahaha). Yet, the both of us don't look to get a lot of things in our life, just what makes us happy enough. For me, I only seek a comfortable life with my family and keep the small number of friends I have retained in my life for more than 10 years now. And also to read as many books as I can. Both wise, both delightful..

And he's has been dead for about 300 years now. So apparently all the good guys are either taken, gay or dead... Better keep all the good men you have securely.

Guilty as charged, I haven't been updating my blog. Namely because I haven't been well for quite some time, both physically and mentally. But as with the purpose of a blog, I should keep it running or else, just shut it down (which was what I have been considering for a while).

Just so it's out and clear, I have been teaching in a integration boarding school in Kuantan for almost a month now. You shouldn't have any trouble trying to figure out which one it is because there's only one SBPI here. The school has a fairly new concept as I've found it tricky to pin it down in the beginning too. The school as the GPK1 has emphasised is "bukan sekolah agama tapi sungguh macam sekolah agama". So you get the idea of how it's run. The school has great, dedicated teachers and staff plus a myriad of bright students. This is in total contrast with the school I've been to during my practicum stint. To adapt, I act in a different manner, behave very differently and dress up differently which leads me to ask myself in the mirror, "who the heck are you?"

But I should still be thankful, no? Well, I tell myself every morning that I should be. But with every occurrence happening in my life that I have no control over, I feel helpless and invariably experience a major want to just ditch things. Not leaving my students, mind you but to be able to be with my loved ones when they need me or when I need them. True to form, some of them might not need me in the sense of the word but I would love to be able to see them when they relate their pain, joy or sorrow.

It has lead to many sleepless nights where I just lock myself in my room and complete my work or read to get my mind off things. Luckily, my students is the thing that keeps me going here. They're really into learning and seem to cherish their English Language lessons. A boy from my Form 4 class had this short conversation with me at the last minutes of my class with them.

Hafiz: Teacher, next teacher takda.. you can continue teaching. Ana: But I have a class now in 1 AstronomiHafiz: Ala, teacher... but we'll miss you laaar.

And that in itself is a steady motivation for me. I hope that I will get better with time and circumstances. Wish me more of well slept nights, people.

In The Pineapple is

I write because I love to *I don't expect you to agree with me although respecting my perspective would definitely help* *I think we are all born to bring a difference to the world, so choose what you wanna change* *Don't just succumb to the masses because you deserve a niche* *Admitting yourself on the spontaneous express is essential*
*Let your love come out if you believe*